The Tear Film To better understand dry eye syndrome, it is necessary to fully understand all the components of the tear film and an efficient anatomical blink. The tear is essential to the health and function of the eye. It consists of three layers, the mucin layer, the aqueous layer, and the lipid layer. The … Continued
Course Introduction What is Dry Eye Syndrome? Dry eye syndrome occurs when the eye cannot produce a sufficient quantity of tears or when the tear quality is abnormal. Dry eye syndrome can cause discomfortable, can restrict many activities, can lead to repeated infections, or can damage the underlying cornea resulting in vision loss. According to … Continued
Onboarding: Training for Eye Care Professionals Glossary ABBE Value: Measures the dispersion of light through a lens material, indicating how well it reduces chromatic aberration. A higher Abbe value means less color distortion and clearer vision Abduction: The movement of the eye outward, away from the nose ABO exam: Certification exam administered by the … Continued
Tonicity Tonicity is extremely important to the ocular surface and the tears. The natural tear has a tonicity of approximately 0.9% sodium chloride. Sterile saline has a tonicity that is approximately that of natural tears and is well tolerated by the eye. Most of the all‐in‐one solutions, as well as the soaking solutions that are … Continued
Corneal Hypoxia Corneal hypoxia can be acute or chronic. It is one of the most common complications of contact lens wear, and if not treated rapidly and effectively,it can lead to edema, corneal damage and possible vision loss. When the eye is open, the cornea receives 21% oxygen from the atmosphere, diffused through the tears. … Continued
Complications Symptoms and Signs Table
Summary All eyes are altered to some extent by contact lens wear. Abnormalities of the lids, conjunctiva, epithelium, stroma, and endothelium might be produced. The changes run the gamut from incidental findings without any apparent functional significance to potential painful and sight‐threatening pathology. Fortunately, the contact lens fitter can help to assure that contact lens … Continued
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Pseudomonas Aeruginosa is a water borne pathogen that can be found in bottles of eye drops and other solutions after they are opened and the sterile seal is broken. This organism can potentially destroy an eye in as little as 48 hours. This gram negative bacillus thrives well in pre-bottled solutions of fluorescein, … Continued
Lids Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC) Giant papillary conjunctivitis is a common complication among contact lens wearers. It is an inflammation of the tissue called the tarsal conjunctiva, which is located underneath the upper lid. The inflammation is diagnosed by the appearance of large swollen processes which make the tarsal conjunctiva appear to be covered with … Continued
Pre-Existing Factors and Post-Wear Complications Many tests conducted during the evaluation and initial fitting of a contact lens patient might point to pre‐existing conditions that can be exacerbated by contact lens wear. Sometimes conditions or complications are only revealed after contact lenses have been worn for some period of time. Many clinicians will simply refuse … Continued
Tear Film The tear film provides a smooth and transparent refractive surface, essential moisture, and oxygen to the epithelial cells. The tear layer also contains proteins which help protect against infection. The health of the ocular surface is entirely dependent upon an adequate quantity and quality of tear film, both of which can be altered … Continued